Ultrasound as a Diagnostic Tool in Paediatric Distal Forearm Fractures

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Orthopedics
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Distal forearm fractures are common in children.
• Radiographs are the standard diagnostic tool but involve radiation exposure.
• Evaluating alternative imaging modalities is crucial for pediatric care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound (US) for pediatric distal forearm fractures.
• To determine the impact of US on emergency department (ED) waiting times for these patients.

Main Methods:

• A convenience sample of 42 pediatric patients with wrist injuries underwent both US and X-ray.
• Ultrasound examination time was recorded.
• Retrospective analysis of X-ray times for 95 pediatric patients was used for comparison.

Main Results:

• Ultrasound diagnosed 93% of distal forearm fractures confirmed by X-ray.
• The sensitivity of US was 93.3% and specificity was 92%.
• Ultrasound is a reliable, radiation-free tool that can decrease ED length of stay.

Conclusions:

• Ultrasound is a highly accurate and reliable diagnostic tool for pediatric distal forearm fractures.
• Implementing ultrasound can reduce radiation exposure and ED waiting times for pediatric patients.
• US offers a safe and efficient alternative for diagnosing wrist injuries in children.